Campus begins face-lift process

By Daniel Donan

September 2, 2009 No Comments

One of the first steps in the beautification of Missouri Western State University has been completed. Those entering the campus from its northern access will be witness to the newly functioning fountain set into the pastoral pond. There are plans for two more to be completed. These fountains, along with a series of new signs posted, trees planted and art unveiled, are all part of the new beautification project that Missouri Western is now undergoing.

Lonnie Johnson, director of facilities, feels that the progress of the project is moving along satisfactorily.

“The new ponds will soon be up and running,” Johnson said. “We will install three fountains and lights in the campus ponds. The one we have completed is off McCarthy Drive. We are running the power and installing the lights physically. We have all the pumps now. Hopefully by next spring they will all be in operation. It all depends on the amount of moisture we get this winter.”

While beauty does have its price, Western was able to set up these projects on a fair budget.

“All of this came in on our best bid,” Johnson said. “We got two three-horse power pumps and one five-horse power pump, all for under $15 grand. We spent three grand on wiring and conduits.”

To save on costs, staffing of such a project is very limited.

“We are doing it all with our own mechanical guys,” Johnson said. “We have one plumber, one electrician, and three HVAC guys and their supervisor. The installation went very smoothly. Our mechanical folks are pretty sharp. They get to the job and git’r dun!”

So it might be assumed that if the fountains came under such a good price they are just normal, every day, fountains. Johnson could dispel those thoughts.

“We are using interchangeable fountain heads so we can alternate the pattern, height and size of the fountains,” Johnson said. “Dr. Vartabedian has put great emphasis on the beautification of the campus.”

So why all the effort put forward to primping up the place? University President, Robert Vartabedian explains that it is a matter of spending donated money put in place for such projects.

“First of all, we are using primarily external money for these efforts,” Vartabedian said. “Specifically, we received two donations from an alum designated for the new entrance sign at Faraon and McCarthy. We really could not use this money for anything else.”

“Similarly, we received a substantial donation from a corporate benefactor for other beautification efforts–essentially for general signage but also for additional evergreens and pond fountains–as the money holds out. Finally, the new piece of outdoor art by professor James Estes that is about to be unveiled was graciously donated by Estes,” Vartabedian said. “So, you see that nearly all of the expenses associated with our beautification efforts have been covered by external, donated money that was given for that specific purpose.”

With Western facing different financial problems, a question raised is if focusing on such “skin deep” projects will really be effective in such finically important times as now?

“I believe there are various reasons to take pride in the look of our campus and to move forward accordingly,” Vartabedian said. “Of course, all of this should be done within reason–particularly in tough financial times. I think that the benefits of enhancing the look of our campus are numerous. Enrollment management experts tell us that the ‘look of the campus’ is one of the three leading factors influencing a student’s decision to go to a given university–along with financial circumstances, and general reputation.”

The idea is that the students and staff will also benefit from the new found beauty.

“Also, I believe that our students, faculty and staff deserve an attractive educational, working environment,” Vartabedian said. “ In the various groups that I have talked to….they seem to appreciate this as long as it does not get out of hand or sacrifice other important educational needs. As noted, I believe that our beautification efforts so far have not been done at the expense of other improvements.”

It is really a question of effective management of open space. No longer does Western have to be seen as the school out in the sticks.

“Finally, as a relatively new university (since 2005), I think that it is in our best interest (community image and otherwise) to look the part,” Vartabedian said. “Given the amount of space we have (740 acres)–the beautiful green spaces here, and the curvature of the landscape–we have the potential here to have an extremely attractive campus. If it is supported by the university community, I just want to take advantage of that potential. Few universities that I have seen have the kind of potential that we have here at Missouri Western.”

The true question is: are the students aware of the changes being made around them? Jennifer Kohler, former SGA vice-president, states the answer is a definitive yes.
“It’s kind of hard to see it now, but the campus is really coming along with its renovations,” Kohler said. “It’s hard to look past the piles of dirt and machinery, but once Remington Hall and the Chiefs training camp facilities are finished, we’re going to have a top-quality campus with really unique features. It’s something that young and perspective students should look forward to.”

Dante Lammoglia, senior, is inclined to agree.

“Well I’m really excited for the campus beautification,” Lammoglia said. “I’ll be honest, when I was little, being ‘stuck’ at Missouri Western was a joke. It was insulting. But now… I can’t describe how proud I am to be a Griffon!”